U.S. patent number 7,395,135 [Application Number 11/672,325] was granted by the patent office on 2008-07-01 for information input device for tablet automatic packing machine.
This patent grant is currently assigned to JVM Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Jun-ho Kim.
United States Patent |
7,395,135 |
Kim |
July 1, 2008 |
Information input device for tablet automatic packing machine
Abstract
Disclosed is an information input device for a tablet automatic
packing machine capable of easily and directly storing tablet
information in a memory chip and updating/reading the tablet
information in/from the memory chip at a user side.
Inventors: |
Kim; Jun-ho (Dalseo-Gu,
KR) |
Assignee: |
JVM Co., Ltd. (Daegu,
KR)
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Family
ID: |
46304893 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/672,325 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2007 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20070129845 A1 |
Jun 7, 2007 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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11188702 |
Jul 26, 2005 |
7225053 |
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11003406 |
Dec 6, 2004 |
7277776 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jan 10, 2004 [KR] |
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10-2004-0001856 |
Jan 10, 2004 [KR] |
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10-2004-0001857 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
700/241; 221/9;
700/242; 700/243; 700/244 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
9/026 (20130101); G07F 17/0092 (20130101); G07F
11/62 (20130101); G07F 11/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
17/00 (20060101); G07F 11/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;700/240-244,213,225,231
;221/9 ;235/385 ;53/396 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
US. Appl. No. 11/565,951, filed Dec. 1, 2006, Kim. cited by other
.
U.S. Appl. No. 11/672,325, filed Feb. 7, 2007, Kim. cited by
other.
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Primary Examiner: Hartman, Jr.; Ronald D
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier
& Neustadt, P.C.
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.
11/188,702 filed Jul. 26, 2005, andclaims priority from and is a
continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application, Ser. No.
11/003,406, filed Dec. 6, 2004, and entitled "INFORMATION INPUT
DEVICE FOR TABLET AUTOMATIC PACKING MACHINE", the disclosure of
each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An information input device for a tablet automatic packing
machine including a plurality of cassette supporters, in which each
cassette supporter has a first connector on the upper surface
thereof and a memory chip which is mounted and electrically
connected on and to the first connector, comprising: a second
connector separatably connected to the first connector electrically
connected to the memory chip; an interface unit for receiving
tablet information from an external source; an input unit for
inputting tablet information to be stored in the memory chip; a
storage unit for storing a tablet information input program and
associated data; a main controlling unit for storing inputted or
received tablet information in the storage unit, and outputting the
stored tablet information and a record controlling command for
enabling the tablet information to be stored in the memory chip;
and a recording unit for recording the tablet information in the
memory chip electrically connected to the first and second
connectors according to the recording control command inputted from
the main controlling unit.
2. The information input device as set forth in claim 1, further
comprising a display unit for displaying the tablet information
inputted from the input unit.
3. The information input device as set forth in claim 1, further
comprising a connection cable, both ends of which have connecting
terminals such that its one end is connected to the second
connector.
4. The information input device as set forth in claim 3, further
comprising a display unit for displaying the tablet information
inputted from the input unit.
5. The information input device as set forth in claim 4, further
comprising a reading unit for reading the tablet information stored
in the memory chip electrically connected to the first and second
connectors according to a reading control command inputted from the
main controlling unit.
6. The information input device as set forth in claim 4, wherein
the interface unit is one of a USB interface unit and a Bluetooth
module.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tablet automatic packing
machine, and more particularly to an information input device for a
tablet automatic packing machine capable of easily and directly
storing tablet information in a memory chip installed to the tablet
automatic packing machine and updating/reading the tablet
information in/from the memory chip at a user side.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, tablet automatic packing machines serve to dispense
corresponding tablets based on prescription data and to
automatically pack them based on a dose of tablet. The construction
of such a table automatic packing machine is described in detail
with reference to FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which
tablet cassettes are collected in a tablet automatic packing
machine according to the prior art. As shown in the drawing, the
tablet automatic packing machine 50 includes a plurality of shelves
on the upper side of a case 52 shaped as a frame. Each of the
plurality of shelves has a plurality of cassette supporters 60
installed thereon for mounting a plurality of tablet cassettes 70,
respectively.
The case 52 has a hopper 56 thereunder, which collects tablets
discharged from the plurality of cassettes 70 through the plurality
of cassette supporters 60. The hopper 56 has a packing assembly 57
thereunder, which packs the collected tablets based on dosage
units. Here, the packing assembly 57 includes a printing unit for
printing information on each packing paper on which user should
note instructions for taking the tablets, and a heater 58 for
heat-sealing openings of the packing papers.
FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a state in which tablet cassettes are
installed to cassette supporters for the prior art tablet automatic
packing machine. If the prior art tablet automatic packing machine
determines that the quantity of tablets in a tablet cassette 20 is
less than a predetermined value, a tablet cassette tag label 20a
attached to one side of the tablet cassette 20 indicates tablet
depletion therein in a light emission fashion. Here, a user
separates a corresponding tablet cassette from a corresponding
tablet supporter 10 and refills corresponding tablets therein.
After wards, the user inserts the refilled tablet cassette 20 into
the cassette supporter 10 based on recognition of the tablet
cassette tag label 20a and the cassette supporter tag label
10a.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a
tablet cassette is separated from a cassette supporter for a tablet
automatic packing machine according to the first embodiment of the
prior art. The tablet cassette 70 has a rotor 72 for guiding and
dispensing corresponding tablets, which is installed therewithin, a
memory chip 75 and a socket 77 electrically connected to the memory
chip 75, which are installed on the lower surface of the table
cassette 70. The tablet cassette supporter 60 includes a motor 64
for rotating the rotor 72, which is installed therewithin, and a
tablet discharging unit 62 for discharging tablets. The tablet
discharging unit 62 includes a tablet discharging hole formed
therein and a sensor unit 66 formed around the tablet discharging
hole. The sensor unit 66 includes a light reception unit 66a and
light emitting unit 66b such that they can perform sensing
operation for tablets discharged through the discharging hole.
Also, the tablet cassette supporter 60 includes a connector 67
installed on the upper surface thereof. A passage 54 for downwardly
dispensing tablets discharged from the cassette supporter 60
through the tablet discharging unit 62 is formed in the inside of
the case 52.
In the case that the table cassette 70 is coupled to the tablet
cassette supporter 60, the socket 77 mounting the memory chip 75
thereon is connected to the connector 67 of the tablet cassette
supporter 67 such that tablet information stored in the memory chip
75 can be transmitted to a controlling unit (not shown) of the
tablet automatic packing machine. Therefore, since a memory chip 75
storing information of tablets contained in a tablet cassette 20
can be connected to a connector of any of the tablet cassette
supporters, the tablet cassette and the tablet cassette supporter
need not to be assembled so that their tag labels are consistent
with each other.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a
tablet cassette is separated from a cassette supporter for a tablet
automatic packing machine according to the second embodiment of the
prior art. The configuration of FIG. 4 employs the same reference
numerals as those of FIG. 3 with respect to the same elements.
Since a socket 68 electrically connected to a memory chip 65 is
directly mounted on the tablet cassette supporter 60, the tablet
cassette 70 must be coupled to the tablet cassette supporter 60
while their tag labels are consistent with each other. Before the
tablet automatic packing machines constructed as described above
are sold, information of tablets to be contained in the tablet
cassettes, such as tablet information, tablet cassette
identification number, tablet name, sensitivity/minimum sensing
time/sensing period etc. of a sensor for sensing tablet discharge,
is recorded in each of the memory chips installed in the automatic
packing machines by an exclusive input device. However, as a
variety of new tablets have been developed, tablet information must
be frequently updated or newly stored in the memory chips.
However, there is no known separate input device for
storing/updating tablet information to the respective memory chips.
Therefore, if there is a need to update information stored in the
respective memory chips of the respective cassette supporters, the
prior art tablet automatic packing machine must be sent to the
manufacturer or a sales agency. Accordingly, the prior art tablet
automatic packing machine has disadvantages in that the update
procedure is complicated, and update of tablet information stored
in the memory chip is delayed. Also, since it must be sent to the
manufacturer or a sales agency to update tablet information, the
dispenser cannot dispense the tablets according to prescription
data using the prior art tablet automatic packing machine because
it is being updated.
Also, the prior art tablet automatic packing machine doesn't
provide the user with the convenience of being able to easily
confirm tablet information stored in the memory. In addition, if it
is difficult to recognize tablet information through tag labels 10a
and/or 20a attached to a cassette supporter 10 and/or tablet
cassette 20, the user must find, one by one, the cassette supporter
10 having a memory chip storing corresponding information of
tablets contained in the tablet cassette 20.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above
problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide
an information input device for a tablet automatic packing machine
capable of easily and directly storing tablet information in a
memory chip and updating/reading the tablet information in/from the
memory chip at a user side.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above
object can be accomplished by the provision of an information input
device for a tablet automatic packing machine including a plurality
of cassette supporters, in which each cassette supporter has a
first connector on the upper surface thereof and a memory chip
which is mounted and electrically connected on and to the first
connector, comprising a second connector separatably connected to
the first connector electrically connected to the memory chip, an
input unit for inputting tablet information to be stored in the
memory chip, a storage unit for storing a tablet information input
program and associated data, a main controlling unit for inputting
the tablet information from the input unit according to execution
of the tablet information input program stored in the storage unit
and for outputting the tablet information and a recording control
command for enabling the tablet information to be stored in the
memory chip and a recording unit for recording the tablet
information in the memory chip electrically connected to the first
and second connectors according to the recording control command
inputted from the main controlling unit.
Accordingly, a user can easily and directly update tablet
information stored in each memory chip installed in the tablet
automatic packing machine.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an information input device for a tablet automatic
packing machine including a plurality of tablet cassettes, in which
each tablet cassette has a first connector on the lower surface
thereof and a memory chip which is mounted and electrically
connected on and to the memory chip, comprising a second connector
separatably connected to the first connector electrically connected
to the memory chip, an input unit for inputting tablet information
to be stored in the memory chips, a storage unit for storing a
tablet information input program and associated data, a main
controlling unit for inputting the tablet information from the
input unit according to execution of the tablet information input
program stored in the storage unit and for outputting the tablet
information and a recording control command for enabling the tablet
information to be stored in the memory chip and a recording unit
for storing the tablet information in the memory chip electrically
connected to the first and second connectors according to the
recording control command inputted from the main controlling
unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the
present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which
tablet cassettes are collected in a tablet automatic packing
machine according to the prior art;
FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a state in which tablet cassettes are
installed to cassette supporters for the prior art tablet automatic
packing machine;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a
tablet cassette is separated from a cassette supporter for a tablet
automatic packing machine according to the first embodiment of the
prior art;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a
tablet cassette is separated from a cassette supporter for a tablet
automatic packing machine according to the second embodiment of the
prior art;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an information input
device for a tablet automatic packing machine according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an information input
device of a tablet automatic packing machine according to another
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an information input device
of a tablet automatic packing machine according to the present
invention;
FIG. 8 is a flow chart describing an operating method of an
information input device for a tablet automatic packing machine
according to the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an information input device
of a tablet automatic packing machine according to another
embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 10 is a flow chart describing an operating method of the
information input device shown in FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to the attached drawings and the embodiments of the
present invention, a detailed description of the present invention
is described below, such that the present invention and the
embodiments thereof can be easily understood and implemented by
those skilled in the art.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an information input
device for a tablet automatic packing machine according to one
embodiment of the present invention. The information input device
of a tablet automatic packing machine is used for directly updating
tablet information stored in each memory chip installed in each
table cassette, respectively, at a user side.
The information input device 100 includes a body 102 forming its
external shape. In one side of the upper surface of the body 102 a
cassette mounting unit 120 is formed such that it can be
separatably coupled to a table cassette. In the embodiment, the
cassette mounting unit 120 includes a matching unit 121 on which a
second connector 105 is formed such that it can be connected to and
separated from the socket 77 of the tablet cassette as shown in
FIG. 3 and a guiding unit 123 for guiding the tablet cassette along
sides of the matching unit 121 to a matching position of the tablet
cassette. The cassette mounting unit 120 may be integratedly or
separatably implemented with the body 102.
Also, on the other side of the upper surface of the body 102 an
input unit 104 for inputting information to be stored in the memory
chip of the tablet cassette by user manipulation and a display unit
110 for displaying tablet information inputted from the input unit
104 are formed. In addition, operation state display lamps 111 are
installed in the side of the body 102 so that they can display
operations states of the information input device 100. The input
unit 104 is preferably implemented with a keypad including numeral
keys and function keys etc. though, it may be further implemented
with a touch panel, an italic font input unit, voice recognition
unit, etc. The display 110 is preferably implemented with a Liquid
Crystal Display (LCD). Also, the operation state displaying lamps
111 are preferably implemented with Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs).
Even though the preferred embodiment of the present invention
describes that the input unit, the display unit and the operation
state display lamps are installed in the specific positions of the
body as mentioned above, they may be installed to the body in other
fashions with their installation positions changed.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an information input
device of a tablet automatic packing machine according to another
embodiment of the present invention. The information input device
of a tablet automatic packing machine is used for directly updating
tablet information stored in each memory chip installed in each
tablet cassette supporter 60, respectively, at a user side.
The information input device 100 includes an input unit 104 for
inputting information to be stored in a memory chip installed in
the tablet cassette supporter 60, a display unit 110 for displaying
tablet information inputted to the input unit 104 and a connection
cable 112 for electrically connecting the information input device
100 to the tablet cassette supporter 60, in which one end of the
connection cable 112 has a connector 112 to be electrically
connected to the socket 68 connected to the memory chip. Here, the
input unit 104 and the display unit 110 are installed on a body 102
forming the external shape of the information input device.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an information input device
for a tablet automatic packing machine according to the present
invention. As shown in the drawing, the information device includes
a storage unit 101, a chip controlling unit 103, an input unit 104,
a second connector 105, a main controlling unit 108 and a display
unit 110.
The storage unit 101 stores a tablet information input program and
associated data and preferably is implemented with a flash memory.
Also, the storage unit 101 further stores a tablet cassette
identification number, tablet name, sensitivity/minimum sensing
time/sensing period of a sensor for sensing tablet discharge.
The input unit 104 inputs information to be recorded in a memory
chip 220 and is preferably implemented with a general keypad. Also,
the input unit 104 may be further implemented with a touch panel,
an italic font input unit, and a voice recognition unit, etc.
The second connector 105 is separatably connected to the first
connector 210 connected to the memory chip 220. The memory chip 220
may be installed in the table cassette or a tablet cassette
supporter.
The main controlling unit 108 controls the entire system and is
preferably implemented with a microprocessor in which ROMs, RAMs
and peripheral elements associated therewith are integrated. The
main controlling unit 108 inputs tablet information from the input
unit 104 according to execution of the tablet information input
program stored in the storage unit 101 and outputs the tablet
information and a recording or reading control command for storing
or reading the tablet information in or from the memory chip.
The chip controlling unit 103 according to one embodiment of the
present invention includes a recording unit 106 for storing tablet
information in the memory chip 220 connected to the first and
second connection unit 210 and 105 according to the recording
control command of the main controlling unit 108. The chip
controlling unit 103 according to the another embodiment of the
present invention further includes a reading unit 109 for reading
out the tablet information stored in the memory chip 220 connected
to the first and the second connection unit 210 and 105 according
to the reading out control command for the main controlling unit
108.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart describing an operating method of an
information input device for the tablet automatic packing machine
according to the present invention. A detailed description of the
information input device of the present invention is described such
that it reads tablet information of the memory chip installed in
the tablet cassette or records the tablet information in the memory
chip.
Firstly, each of the respective tablet cassettes is precisely
mounted on a predetermined position through a guiding unit (123 of
FIG. 5) formed in the matching unit (121 of FIG. 5). After that, a
socket (77 of FIG. 3) of the memory chip (75 of FIG. 3) installed
on the lower surface of the tablet cassette (70 of FIG. 3) is
electrically connected to the second connector (105 of FIG. 5).
When the tablet cassette is placed on the cassette mounting unit
(120 of FIG. 5) of the information input device, the information
input device displays a menu on the display unit (110 of FIG. 5).
After that, the information input device determines whether
selection information for reading or storing tablet information
from or in the memory chip is inputted in steps S11 and S12.
When selection information for a recording menu is selected in the
information input device, the display unit (110 of FIG. 5) displays
the recording menu thereon and the input unit (104 of FIG. 5)
inputs tablet information such as sensitivity/minimum sensing
time/sensing period of a sensor for sensing tablet discharge,
tablet cassette identification number, tablet name, etc.
therethrough in step S13.
After that, the information input device determines whether the
tablet cassette identification number has already been allocated or
the tablet information inputted in step S13 is used. If the
determination is positive, a warning display signal is outputted on
the display unit (110 of FIG. 5) in steps S14 and S15.
On the other hand, if the tablet cassette identification number has
already been allocated but the tablet information inputted in step
S13 is not used, tablet information for the tablet cassette is
stored in the memory chip in step S16 and the display unit (110 of
FIG. 5) displays the tablet information stored in the memory chip
thereon such that the user can recognize the displayed tablet
information in step S17.
Meanwhile, if selection information for a readout menu is inputted
in the information input device, tablet information stored in the
memory chip of the tablet cassette is read out therefrom in step
S21. After that, the display unit (110 of FIG. 5) displays the read
tablet information thereon is step S17, and then the user can
refill corresponding tablets in the tablet cassette or confirm
whether the tablet information is correctly stored in the memory
chip based on the confirmation of the tablet information displayed
on the display unit (110 of FIG. 5).
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an information input device
of a tablet automatic packing machine according to another
embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a flow chart
describing an operating method of the information input device
shown in FIG. 9.
Firstly, the configuration of the information input device of FIG.
9 is identical to that of FIG. 7, except that the device further
includes a USB interface unit 102 for inputting tablet information
from a server, and thus the main controlling unit 108 is
differently operated to that of FIG. 7. Namely, the main
controlling unit 108 stores the tablet information received through
the USB interface unit 102 in the storage unit 101 and then records
the stored tablet information in the memory chip which is in a
tablet cassette or a cassette supporter. More specifically, the USB
interface unit 102 and the main controlling unit 108 are described
below.
The main controlling unit 108 stores the tablet information
received through the USB interface unit 102 in the storage unit
101, and outputs the stored tablet information and a record control
command for enabling the tablet information to be stored in the
memory chip.
On the other hand, the USB interface unit 102 performs USB
communication with a server, in which the USB interface unit 102
may be connected to the server via a USB cable. Such a USB
interface unit 102 may be implemented with a server PC interface
unit for receiving tablet information from the server, and can be
replaced with a local area wireless communication means, such as a
Bluetooth module.
With reference to FIG. 10, operations of the information input
device of FIG. 9 are described in detail below.
Firstly, the information input device of FIG. 9 is connected to the
server via a USB cable. When completing such connection, the main
controlling unit 108 of the information input device can check a
USB connection state in step S20, and, based on the check result,
can form a channel with the server in step S21.
When forming a channel with the server, the main controlling unit
108 receives tablet information from the server and stores the
received tablet information in the storage unit 101 in step S22.
Here, a worker can input tablet cassette number, tablet name, and
tablet information, through a data input device of the server, such
that they can be registered in the server, and transmit the
registered tablet information to the information input device
through the USB cable. Here, the table information includes
sensitivity/minimum sense time/sensing period of a sensor which can
sense tablet discharge.
Therefore, the main controlling unit 108 of the information input
device can receive tablet information from a plurality of servers,
store them therein and then process them.
On the other hand, when the tablet information is stored therein,
the information input device is separated from the server, and then
the second connector 105 of the information input device is
connected to the first connector of the cassette supporter 60, as
shown in FIG. 6. After that, when one of the stored tablet
information is requested to be stored, the main controlling unit
108 reads the tablet information selected by the worker from the
storage unit 101, and then outputs the read tablet information and
a record control command, which enables the tablet information to
be stored in the memory chip, to the chip controlling unit 103.
Accordingly, the tablet information selected by the worker can be
recorded in the memory chip 220 by the recording unit 106 of the
chip controlling unit 103.
Since the information input device according to another embodiment
of the present invention can input the tablet information through
the server and then record the received information in the memory
chip, the worker does not have to register tablet information in
the server and then input the tablet information in the information
input device again.
As apparent from the above description, the information input
device of the tablet automatic packing machine according to the
present invention has advantages in that information stored in the
memory chip of the tablet cassette can be directly updated or read
at a user side.
Also, since information of tablets contained in each of the
respective tablet cassettes is relatively easily read, the user can
obtain correct information of tablets contained therein such that
he/she can easily monitor or manage a stock of tablets.
Now, the construction and operation of the information input device
of a tablet automatic packing machine according to another
embodiment of the present invention are described in detail
below.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *